The John Davenport Hotel was significant to the settlement of the area as an inn, a stagecoach stop, and as a community meeting place. Its vernacular architecture was similar to other inns built in Southeastern Michigan in the early to mid-nineteenth century and is one of the few that retains significance. In the mid-to-late nineteenth century the Irish Hills became a destination for tourists. The Davenport Hotel then became important as a place to stay while enjoying the many beautiful lakes and other attractions of the area. It also had a general store and post office. With the coming of the motor vehicle in the 1920’s it was popular as a place to stay, and also as a good restaurant to visit on a Sunday afternoon or while passing through to visit many of the interesting sites on US 12 and the surrounding area.